Controlling field distribution of a wireless power transmitter

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments are directed to control of field distribution of a wireless power transmitter. A transmitter may include a transmit antenna configured to generate a field. The transmitter may further include least one parasitic antenna proximate the transmit antenna and configured to modify a distribution of the generated field.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/951,265, filed on Nov. 22, 2010. U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/951,265 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application61/345,435 entitled “ALTERING MAGNETIC FIELD DISTRIBUTION USINGREACTIVELY LOADED PARASITIC COIL(S)” filed on May 17, 2010, and claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/334,783 entitled“CONTROLLING MAGNETIC FIELD DISTRIBUTION VIA PARASITIC LOOPS” filed onMay 14, 2010. Each of these applications is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to wireless power, and morespecifically, to systems, device, and methods related to controllingdistribution of a field generated by a wireless power transmitter.

2. Background

Approaches are being developed that use over the air power transmissionbetween a transmitter and the device to be charged. These generally fallinto two categories. One is based on the coupling of plane waveradiation (also called far-field radiation) between a transmit antennaand receive antenna on the device to be charged which collects theradiated power and rectifies it for charging the battery. Antennas aregenerally of resonant length in order to improve the couplingefficiency. This approach suffers from the fact that the power couplingfalls off quickly with distance between the antennas. So charging overreasonable distances (e.g., >1-2 m) becomes difficult. Additionally,since the system radiates plane waves, unintentional radiation caninterfere with other systems if not properly controlled throughfiltering.

Other approaches are based on inductive coupling between a transmitantenna embedded, for example, in a “charging” mat or surface and areceive antenna plus rectifying circuit embedded in the host device tobe charged. This approach has the disadvantage that the spacing betweentransmit and receive antennas must be very close (e.g. mms). Though thisapproach does have the capability to simultaneously charge multipledevices in the same area, this area is typically small, hence the usermust locate the devices to a specific area.

As will be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill in the art, anear field communication (NFC) device may receive excessive power from awireless power transmitter, which may result in undesirable heating ofthe NFC device. In addition, a rouge receiver might attempt to pick uppower from the wireless power transmitter, thus affecting power deliveryto a valid wireless power receiver and system efficiency.

Further, additional receivers or metal objects positioned within anassociated charging region may detune a transmitter by reducing the selfinductance thereof. Variation in impedance looking into the transmittingcoil of the transmitter may affect the performance of an associateddriving amplifier. If the transmitting coil is significantly larger thanthe receiving coil, the coupling efficiency between the coils maysuffer, which may impact charge time and cause potential thermal issues.Therefore, a higher efficiency coupling structure is desirable. It isalso desirable to know the locations of one or more receivers within anassociated charging region so that power may be diverted to therespective receivers.

A need exists for methods, systems, and devices to for controlling fielddistribution of a wireless power transmitter. More specifically, a needexists for methods, systems, and devices for utilizing one or moreparasitic antennas to control the field distribution of a wireless powertransmitter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a wireless power transfersystem.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless power transfersystem.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a loop antenna for use inexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a simplified block diagram of a transmitter, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates a parasitic antenna including a switch positionedproximate a transmit antenna.

FIG. 4C illustrates a parasitic antenna including a switch and acapacitor positioned proximate a transmit antenna.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of a receiver, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates a wireless power transmitter including a transmitantenna and a plurality of parasitic antennas, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B illustrates another wireless power transmitter including atransmit antenna and a plurality of parasitic antennas, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6C illustrates another wireless power transmitter including atransmit antenna and a plurality of parasitic antennas in a firstdirection and another plurality of parasitic antennas in a seconddirection, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6D illustrates yet another wireless power transmitter including atransmit antenna and a multi-dimensional array of parasitic antennas,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A illustrates a wireless power system including a wireless powertransmitter and a plurality of wireless power receivers, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B illustrates another wireless power system including a wirelesspower transmitter and a wireless power receiver, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A illustrates a wireless power system including a wireless powertransmitter and a plurality of wireless power receivers including anon-compatible receiver, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8B illustrates a wireless power system including a wireless powertransmitter and a plurality of wireless power receivers including aplurality of non-compatible receivers, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a wireless power system including a wireless powertransmitter, a plurality of parasitic antennas, and a compatiblereceiver, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A-10G illustrate various example wireless power transmitterconfigurations wherein each configuration includes a transmit antennaand at least one parasitic antenna, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate cross-sectional views of various examplewireless power transmitter configurations wherein each configurationincludes a transmit antenna and a parasitic antenna, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A-12E illustrate various relationship between a current within atransmit antenna and a current within a parasitic antenna, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention and is not intended to represent the only embodimentsin which the present invention can be practiced. The term “exemplary”used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance,or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferredor advantageous over other exemplary embodiments. The detaileddescription includes specific details for the purpose of providing athorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that the exemplaryembodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the novelty of theexemplary embodiments presented herein.

The term “wireless power” is used herein to mean any form of energyassociated with electric fields, magnetic fields, electromagneticfields, or otherwise that is transmitted between a transmitter to areceiver without the use of physical electrical conductors. Hereafter,all three of this will be referred to generically as radiated fields,with the understanding that pure magnetic or pure electric fields do notradiate power. These must be coupled to a “receiving antenna” to achievepower transfer.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless transmission or charging system 100, inaccordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.Input power 102 is provided to a transmitter 104 for generating aradiated field 106 for providing energy transfer. A receiver 108 couplesto the radiated field 106 and generates an output power 110 for storingor consumption by a device (not shown) coupled to the output power 110.Both the transmitter 104 and the receiver 108 are separated by adistance 112. In one exemplary embodiment, transmitter 104 and receiver108 are configured according to a mutual resonant relationship and whenthe resonant frequency of receiver 108 and the resonant frequency oftransmitter 104 are very close, transmission losses between thetransmitter 104 and the receiver 108 are minimal when the receiver 108is located in the “near-field” of the radiated field 106.

Transmitter 104 further includes a transmit antenna 114 for providing ameans for energy transmission and receiver 108 further includes areceive antenna 118 for providing a means for energy reception. Thetransmit and receive antennas are sized according to applications anddevices to be associated therewith. As stated, an efficient energytransfer occurs by coupling a large portion of the energy in thenear-field of the transmitting antenna to a receiving antenna ratherthan propagating most of the energy in an electromagnetic wave to thefar field. When in this near-field a coupling mode may be developedbetween the transmit antenna 114 and the receive antenna 118. The areaaround the antennas 114 and 118 where this near-field coupling may occuris referred to herein as a coupling-mode region.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a wireless power transfersystem. The transmitter 104 includes an oscillator 122, a poweramplifier 124 and a filter and matching circuit 126. The oscillator isconfigured to generate at a desired frequency, such as, for exampleonly, 468.75 KHz, 6.78 MHz or 13.56, which may be adjusted in responseto adjustment signal 123. The oscillator signal may be amplified by thepower amplifier 124 with an amplification amount responsive to controlsignal 125. The filter and matching circuit 126 may be included tofilter out harmonics or other unwanted frequencies and match theimpedance of the transmitter 104 to the transmit antenna 114.

The receiver 108 may include a matching circuit 132 and a rectifier andswitching circuit 134 to generate a DC power output to charge a battery136 as shown in FIG. 2 or power a device coupled to the receiver (notshown). The matching circuit 132 may be included to match the impedanceof the receiver 108 to the receive antenna 118. The receiver 108 andtransmitter 104 may communicate on a separate communication channel 119(e.g., Bluetooth, zigbee, cellular, etc).

As illustrated in FIG. 3, antennas used in exemplary embodiments may beconfigured as a “loop” antenna 150, which may also be referred to hereinas a “magnetic” antenna. Loop antennas may be configured to include anair core or a physical core such as a ferrite core. Air core loopantennas may be more tolerable to extraneous physical devices placed inthe vicinity of the core. Furthermore, an air core loop antenna allowsthe placement of other components within the core area. In addition, anair core loop may more readily enable placement of the receive antenna118 (FIG. 2) within a plane of the transmit antenna 114 (FIG. 2) wherethe coupled-mode region of the transmit antenna 114 (FIG. 2) may be morepowerful.

As stated, efficient transfer of energy between the transmitter 104 andreceiver 108 occurs during matched or nearly matched resonance (i.e.,the frequencies are matched) between the transmitter 104 and thereceiver 108. However, even when resonance between the transmitter 104and receiver 108 are not matched, energy may be transferred, althoughthe efficiency may be affected. Transfer of energy occurs by couplingenergy from the near-field of the transmitting antenna to the receivingantenna residing in the neighborhood where this near-field isestablished rather than propagating the energy from the transmittingantenna into free space.

The resonant frequency of the loop or magnetic antennas is based on theinductance and capacitance. Inductance in a loop antenna is generallysimply the inductance created by the loop, whereas, capacitance isgenerally added to the loop antenna's inductance to create a resonantstructure at a desired resonant frequency. As a non-limiting example,capacitor 152 and capacitor 154 may be added to the antenna to create aresonant circuit that generates resonant signal 156. Accordingly, forlarger antennas, the size of capacitance needed to induce resonancedecreases as the inductance of the loop increases due to increasing coildiameter and/or number of turns Furthermore, as the diameter of the loopor magnetic antenna increases, the efficient energy transfer area of thenear-field increases. Of course, other resonant circuits may bepossible. As another non-limiting example, a capacitor may be placed inparallel between the two terminals of the loop antenna. In addition,those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that for transmitantennas the resonant signal 156 may be an input to the loop antenna150.

FIG. 4A is a simplified block diagram of a transmitter 200, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thetransmitter 200 includes transmit circuitry 202 and a transmit antenna204. Generally, transmit circuitry 202 provides RF power to the transmitantenna 204 by providing an oscillating signal resulting in generationof near-field energy about the transmit antenna 204. It is noted thattransmitter 200 may operate at any suitable frequency. By way ofexample, transmitter 200 may operate at the 13.56 MHz ISM band.

Exemplary transmit circuitry 202 includes a fixed impedance matchingcircuit 206 for matching the impedance of the transmit circuitry 202(e.g., 50 ohms) to the transmit antenna 204 (i.e., the load and thesource are matched to enhance efficiency) and a low pass filter (LPF)208 configured to reduce harmonic emissions to levels to preventself-jamming of devices coupled to receivers 108 (FIG. 1). Otherexemplary embodiments may include different filter topologies, includingbut not limited to, notch filters that attenuate specific frequencieswhile passing others and may include an adaptive impedance match, thatcan be varied based on measurable transmit metrics, such as output powerto the antenna or DC current drawn by the power amplifier. Transmitcircuitry 202 further includes a power amplifier 210 configured to drivean RF signal as determined by an oscillator 212. The transmit circuitrymay be comprised of discrete devices or circuits, or alternately, may becomprised of an integrated assembly. An exemplary RF power output fromtransmit antenna 204 may be on the order of 2.5 Watts.

Transmit circuitry 202 further includes a controller 214 for enablingthe oscillator 212 during transmit phases (or duty cycles) for specificreceivers, for adjusting the frequency or phase of the oscillator, andfor adjusting the output power level for implementing a communicationprotocol for interacting with neighboring devices through their attachedreceivers. As is well known in the art, adjustment of oscillator phaseand related circuitry in the transmission path allows for reduction ofout of band emissions, especially when transitioning from one frequencyto another.

The transmit circuitry 202 may further include a load sensing circuit216 for detecting the presence or absence of active receivers in thevicinity of the near-field generated by transmit antenna 204. By way ofexample, a load sensing circuit 216 monitors the current flowing to thepower amplifier 210, which is affected by the presence or absence. ofactive receivers in the vicinity of the near-field generated by transmitantenna 204. Detection of changes to the loading on the power amplifier210 are monitored by controller 214 for use in determining whether toenable the oscillator 212 for transmitting energy and to communicatewith an active receiver.

Transmit antenna 204 may be implemented with a Litz wire or as anantenna strip with the thickness, width and metal type selected to keepresistive losses low. In a conventional implementation, the transmitantenna 204 can generally be configured for association with a largerstructure such as a table, mat, lamp or other less portableconfiguration. Accordingly, the transmit antenna 204 may not need“turns” in order to be of a practical dimension. An exemplaryimplementation of a transmit antenna 204 may be “electrically small”(i.e., fraction of the wavelength) and tuned to resonate at lower usablefrequencies by using capacitors to define the resonant frequency. In anexemplary application where the transmit antenna 204 may be larger indiameter, or length of side if a square loop, (e.g., 0.50 meters)relative to the receive antenna, the transmit antenna 204 will notnecessarily need a large number of turns to obtain a reasonablecapacitance.

The transmitter 200 may gather and track information about thewhereabouts and status of receiver devices that may be associated withthe transmitter 200. Thus, the transmitter circuitry 202 may include apresence detector 280, an enclosed detector 290, or a combinationthereof, connected to the controller 214 (also referred to as aprocessor herein). The controller 214 may adjust an amount of powerdelivered by the amplifier 210 in response to presence signals from thepresence detector 280 and the enclosed detector 290. The transmitter mayreceive power through a number of power sources, such as, for example,an AC-DC converter (not shown) to convert conventional AC power presentin a building, a DC-DC converter (not shown) to convert a conventionalDC power source to a voltage suitable for the transmitter 200, ordirectly from a conventional DC power source (not shown).

As a non-limiting example, the presence detector 280 may be a motiondetector utilized to sense the initial presence of a device to becharged that is inserted into the coverage area of the transmitter.After detection, the transmitter may be turned on and the RF powerreceived by the device may be used to toggle a switch on the Rx devicein a pre-determined manner, which in turn results in changes to thedriving point impedance of the transmitter.

As another non-limiting example, the presence detector 280 may be adetector capable of detecting a human, for example, by infrareddetection, motion detection, or other suitable means. In some exemplaryembodiments, there may be regulations limiting the amount of power thata transmit antenna may transmit at a specific frequency. In some cases,these regulations are meant to protect humans from electromagneticradiation. However, there may be environments where transmit antennasare placed in areas not occupied by humans, or occupied infrequently byhumans, such as, for example, garages, factory floors, shops, and thelike. If these environments are free from humans, it may be permissibleto increase the power output of the transmit antennas above the normalpower restrictions regulations. In other words, the controller 214 mayadjust the power output of the transmit antenna 204 to a regulatorylevel or lower in response to human presence and adjust the power outputof the transmit antenna 204 to a level above the regulatory level when ahuman is outside a regulatory distance from the electromagnetic field ofthe transmit antenna 204.

As a non-limiting example, the enclosed detector 290 (may also bereferred to herein as an enclosed compartment detector or an enclosedspace detector) may be a device such as a sense switch for determiningwhen an enclosure is in a closed or open state. When a transmitter is inan enclosure that is in an enclosed state, a power level of thetransmitter may be increased.

In exemplary embodiments, a method by which the transmitter 200 does notremain on indefinitely may be used. In this case, the transmitter 200may be programmed to shut off after a user-determined amount of time.This feature prevents the transmitter 200, notably the power amplifier210, from running long after the wireless devices in its perimeter arefully charged. This event may be due to the failure of the circuit todetect the signal sent from either the repeater or the receive coil thata device is fully charged. To prevent the transmitter 200 fromautomatically shutting down if another device is placed in itsperimeter, the transmitter 200 automatic shut off feature may beactivated only after a set period of lack of motion detected in itsperimeter. The user may be able to determine the inactivity timeinterval, and change it as desired. As a non-limiting example, the timeinterval may be longer than that needed to fully charge a specific typeof wireless device under the assumption of the device being initiallyfully discharged.

FIG. 4B illustrates transmit antenna 204 proximate a parasitic antenna205 including a switch 221, which may be selectively controlled. Asdescribed more fully below, a shorted parasitic antenna (i.e., parasiticantenna 205 with switch 221 closed) may induce a current that modifies(i.e., opposes) a field generated by transmit antenna 204. FIG. 4Cillustrates transmit antenna 204 proximate a parasitic antenna 207including switch 221, which may be selectively controlled, and acapacitor C. As described more fully below, a shorted parasitic antennahaving a capacitor (i.e., parasitic antenna 207 with switch 221 closed)may induce a current that modifies a field generated by transmit antenna204.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of a receiver 300, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The receiver 300includes receive circuitry 302 and a receive antenna 304. Receiver 300further couples to device 350 for providing received power thereto. Itshould be noted that receiver 300 is illustrated as being external todevice 350 but may be integrated into device 350. Generally, energy ispropagated wirelessly to receive antenna 304 and then coupled throughreceive circuitry 302 to device 350.

Receive antenna 304 is tuned to resonate at the same frequency, orwithin a specified range of frequencies, as transmit antenna 204 (FIG.4A). Receive antenna 304 may be similarly dimensioned with transmitantenna 204 or may be differently sized based upon the dimensions of theassociated device 350. By way of example, device 350 may be a portableelectronic device having diametric or length dimension smaller that thediameter of length of transmit antenna 204. In such an example, receiveantenna 304 may be implemented as a multi-turn antenna in order toreduce the capacitance value of a tuning capacitor (not shown) andincrease the receive antenna's impedance. By way of example, receiveantenna 304 may be placed around the substantial circumference of device350 in order to maximize the antenna diameter and reduce the number ofloop turns (i.e., windings) of the receive antenna and the inter-windingcapacitance.

Receive circuitry 302 provides an impedance match to the receive antenna304.

Receive circuitry 302 includes power conversion circuitry 306 forconverting a received RF energy source into charging power for use bydevice 350. Power conversion circuitry 306 includes an RF-to-DCconverter 308 and may also in include a DC-to-DC converter 310. RF-to-DCconverter 308 rectifies the RF energy signal received at receive antenna304 into a non-alternating power while DC-to-DC converter 310 convertsthe rectified RF energy signal into an energy potential (e.g., voltage)that is compatible with device 350. Various RF-to-DC converters arecontemplated, including partial and full rectifiers, regulators,bridges, doublers, as well as linear and switching converters.

Receive circuitry 302 may further include switching circuitry 312 forconnecting receive antenna 304 to the power conversion circuitry 306 oralternatively for disconnecting the power conversion circuitry 306.Disconnecting receive antenna 304 from power conversion circuitry 306not only suspends charging of device 350, but also changes the “load” as“seen” by the transmitter 200 (FIG. 2).

As disclosed above, transmitter 200 includes load sensing circuit 216which detects fluctuations in the bias current provided to transmitterpower amplifier 210. Accordingly, transmitter 200 has a mechanism fordetermining when receivers are present in the transmitter's near-field.

When multiple receivers 300 are present in a transmitter's near-field,it may be desirable to time-multiplex the loading and unloading of oneor more receivers to enable other receivers to more efficiently coupleto the transmitter. This “unloading” of a receiver is also known hereinas a “cloaking.” A receiver may also be cloaked in order to eliminatecoupling to other nearby receivers or to reduce loading on nearbytransmitters, or to enable the transmitter to accurately determine thecharacteristics of just one “cloaked” receiver. Furthermore, thisswitching between unloading and loading controlled by receiver 300 anddetected by transmitter 200 provides a communication mechanism fromreceiver 300 to transmitter 200 as is explained more fully below.Additionally, a protocol can be associated with the switching whichenables the sending of a message from receiver 300 to transmitter 200.By way of example, a switching speed may be on the order of 100 μsec.

In an exemplary embodiment, communication between the transmitter andthe receiver refers to a device sensing and charging control mechanism,rather than conventional two-way communication. In other words, thetransmitter may use on/off keying of the transmitted signal to adjustwhether energy is available in the near-field. The receivers interpretthese changes in delivered power as a message from the transmitter. Fromthe receiver side, the receiver may use tuning and de-tuning of thereceive antenna to adjust how much power is being accepted from thenear-field. The transmitter can detect this difference in power usedfrom the near-field and interpret these changes as a message from thereceiver. It is noted that other forms of modulation of the transmitpower and the load behavior may be utilized.

Receive circuitry 302 may further include signaling detector and beaconcircuitry 314 used to identify received energy fluctuations, which maycorrespond to informational signaling from the transmitter to thereceiver. Furthermore, signaling and beacon circuitry 314 may also beused to detect the transmission of a reduced RF signal energy (i.e., abeacon signal) and to rectify the reduced RF signal energy into anominal power for awakening either un-powered or power-depleted circuitswithin receive circuitry 302 in order to configure receive circuitry 302for wireless charging.

Receive circuitry 302 further includes processor 316 for coordinatingthe processes of receiver 300 described herein including the control ofswitching circuitry 312 described herein. Cloaking of receiver 300 mayalso occur upon the occurrence of other events including detection of anexternal wired charging source (e.g., wall/USB power) providing chargingpower to device 350. Processor 316, in addition to controlling thecloaking of the receiver, may also monitor beacon circuitry 314 todetermine a beacon state and extract messages sent from the transmitter.Processor 316 may also adjust DC-to-DC converter 310 for improvedperformance.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as describedherein, relate to systems, devices, and methods for controlling a fielddistribution of a wireless power system, via one or more parasiticantennas. More specifically, exemplary embodiments of the invention mayenable for enhanced coupling efficiency, less thermal problems, andimproved charging times. Furthermore, exemplary embodiments may enablefor an increased charging area for supporting more chargeable devices,thus, enhancing user experience without impacting efficiency and chargetime. It is noted that the terms “parasitic coil” “parasitic loop” and“parasitic antenna” may be used herein interchangeably.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adetuned and shorted parasitic antenna (i.e., a dead short parasiticantenna), which is positioned proximate a transmit antenna, maygenerate, due to an induced current, a field (e.g., a magnetic field)that opposes a field (e.g., a magnetic field) generated by the transmitantenna. Accordingly, in this exemplary embodiment, an area within theparasitic antenna may be void of a magnetic field and theself-inductance of the transmit antenna may be reduced. Furthermore,according to another exemplary embodiment, the parasitic antenna may beopened (i.e., open-circuited) (e.g., via a switch) and, therefore, maynot induce an effect on the transmit antenna or a magnetic fielddistribution proximate the transmit antenna.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, oneor more parasitic antennas having a fixed reactance (e.g., capacitance)and positioned proximate a transmit antenna, may induce current thereinto modify a magnetic field generated by the transmit antenna.

As described more fully below, one or more parasitic antennas may bepositioned proximate a transmit antenna in a row array, a column array,or any combination thereof (i.e., a dual layer with overlapping row andcolumn arrays). Furthermore, parasitic antennas may be positionedproximate a transmit antenna in a grid array, which may comprise one ormore layers. Moreover, the one or more parasitic antennas may bepositioned above a transmit antenna, below the transmit antenna, orco-planar with the transmit antenna.

The parasitic antennas may be the same size as an associated transmitantenna, smaller than the transmit antenna, or larger than the transmitantenna. The one or more parasitic antennas may comprise a single turnor multiple turns. It is noted that a shorted parasitic coil, accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may have asubstantially similar detuning effect (reduction on transmitting coilself inductance) as an electronic device (e.g., a mobile telephone) ofsubstantially similar size.

During one contemplated phase, resonance match may be obtained byshorting all parasitic antennas not having a compatible receiver withinan associated loop and opening each parasitic antenna having at leastone compatible receiver within the associated loop. It is noted that thecumulative detuning effect of each receiver positioned within a chargingregion of the transmit antenna and shorted parasitic coils is the sameregardless of the number of receivers. Therefore, the self inductance ofthe transmit antenna may be bound regardless of the number of receiversbeing placed within an associated charging region.

As noted above, according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, one or more parasitic coils, wherein each parasitic coil hasa fixed reactance, may be integrated within a wireless power transmitterto enable a magnetic field distribution of the wireless powertransmitter to be modified (e.g., even out the magnetic fielddistribution). The loops of the parasitic antennas may be smaller thanthe externally excited coil (i.e., the transmit antenna) to improvemagnetic field distribution or steer the field in the desirable zone.Furthermore, loops of the parasitic antennas may be larger than theexternally excited coil to increase effective charging area. The one ormore parasitic antennas may be arranged in a concentric layout toimprove overall field distribution or a non-concentric layout to improvefield distribution in a specific zone. Further, the one or moreparasitic antennas may be of a single turn winding or multiple turnswinding.

The extent of the effect of the one or more parasitic antennas on amagnetic field generated by a transmit antenna may be dependent on acurrent induced in the parasitic antenna, which may depend on the mutualinductance between the parasitic antennas and the transmit antenna. Thiscurrent may be controlled by a size of the parasitic antenna (i.e.,larger size equals more current), a number of turns of the parasiticantenna (i.e., more turns equals more current), a distance (i.e.,vertical and lateral) between the parasitic antenna and the transmitantenna (i.e., closer equals more current), and a distance between theparasitic antenna and a charging surface of a wireless power transmitter(i.e., greater distance equal less affect).

As described more fully below, the one or more parasitic antenna may bepositioned above the transmit antenna to improve mutual coupling(resulting in increased efficiency) to receivers further away from anassociated charging surface. Further, the one or more parasitic antennamay be co-planar with the transmit antenna to reduce transmitterprofile. Moreover, the one or more parasitic antenna may be positionedbelow the transmit antenna to reduce the extent of field alteration.

It is noted that one or more capacitor values across a parasitic antennamay control the phase difference between a transmit antenna and theparasitic antenna. Accordingly, the value of the capacitor across aparasitic antenna may be selected for a desirable response. An extremelysmall capacitor (similar to an open circuit) may have a minimal impacton overall field distribution. A capacitor having an extremely largevalue (similar to a short circuit) may achieve minimum field strength inthe middle of the respective parasitic antenna and maximum fieldstrength in the region outside the respective parasitic antenna of aconcentric layout. A capacitor that has a value less than a value of acapacitor that drives the resonance frequency to the operating frequencymay achieve substantial even field distribution for a concentric layoutby reducing field strength in the region outside the respectiveparasitic antenna and increasing field strength in the region inside therespective parasitic antenna. A capacitor that has a value equal to avalue of a capacitor that drives the resonance frequency to theoperating frequency may achieve maximum field strength in the middle ofthe respective parasitic antenna and minimum field strength in theregion outside the respective parasitic antenna for a concentric layout.A capacitor that has a capacitor value greater than a value of acapacitor that drives the resonance frequency to the operating frequencymay achieve weaker field strength in the region inside the respectiveparasitic antenna and stronger field strength in the region outside therespective parasitic antenna. It is note that additional capacitors canbe switched into a parasitic antenna to actively steer the magneticfield into a desirable region and away from an undesirable region. Table1 below further illustrates the effect of capacitor values on a currentin a parasitic antenna and field distribution of a wireless powertransmitter.

TABLE 1 Capacitance Current in the Field inside the Field outside thevalue parasitic antenna parasitic antenna parasitic antenna Parasiticantenna No current No change No change is open-circuited Resonancegreater Out of phase but Strengthened Weakened than operating samedirection as frequency current in transmit antenna Resonance equal Inphase with Maximum Minimum to operating current in transmit frequencyantenna Resonance less Out of phase but Weakened Strengthened thanoperating in opposite frequency direction as current in transmit antennaParasitic antenna 180° out of phase Minimum Maximum is close-circuitedwith current in transmit antenna

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 6A-13. FIG. 6A illustrates a wirelesspower transmitter 600A including a transmit antenna 601 and a pluralityof parasitic antennas 602A, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 6B illustrates a wireless power transmitter 600Bincluding a transmit antenna 601 and a plurality of parasitic antennas602B, according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. Parasitic antennas 602A illustrated in FIG. 6A are positionedin a row array and parasitic antennas 602B illustrated in FIG. 6B arepositioned in a column array. FIG. 6C illustrates a wireless powertransmitter 600C, according to yet another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. Wireless power transmitter 600C includes transmitantenna 601, a plurality of parasitic antennas 602A, which are in a rowarray, and a plurality of parasitic antennas 602B, which are in a columnarray. Parasitic antennas 602A and parasitic antennas 602B are in adual-layer configuration. Another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIG. 6D, which depicts a wireless powertransmitter 600D including transmit antenna 601 and a plurality ofparasitic antennas 602D arranged in a row and column array. It is notedthat, as used herein and as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6D, a “cell” is thesmallest possible area that can be controlled by one or more parasiticantennas.

FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a wireless power system 700A includinga wireless power transmitter 700A including a plurality of parasiticantennas 712, 714, 716, 718, and 720 and another plurality of parasiticantennas 722, 724, and 726 in a dual-layer configuration. Morespecifically, wireless power transmitter 700A includes parasiticantennas 712, 714, 716, 718, and 720, which are positioned in onedirection (i.e., parallel to one another), and parasitic antennas 722,724, and 726, which are positioned in another direction (i.e., parallelto one another and perpendicular to parasitic antennas 712, 714, 716,718, and 720). Moreover, wireless power system 700 includes a firstwireless power receiver 710A and a second wireless power receiver 710B.In an example wherein each of first wireless power receiver 710A and asecond wireless power receiver 710B comprise a compatible device,wireless power transmitter 700A may open each of parasitic antennas 722,724, 714, and 718 and short each of parasitic antennas 712, 716, 720,and 726. Accordingly, areas within any of parasitic coils 712, 716, 720,and 726 may comprise a null field zone. Accordingly, in this example,receiver 710A or receiver 710B may receive power generated by transmitantenna 601.

FIG. 7B illustrates another example wireless power system 700B includinga wireless power transmitter 700A including a plurality of parasiticantennas 712, 714, 716, 718, and 720 and another plurality of parasiticantennas 722, 724, and 726 in a dual-layer configuration. Morespecifically, wireless power transmitter 700A includes parasiticantennas 712, 714, 716, 718, and 720, which are positioned in onedirection (i.e., parallel to one another), and parasitic antennas 722,724, and 726, which are positioned in another direction (i.e., parallelto one another and perpendicular to parasitic antennas 712, 714, 716,718, and 720). Moreover, wireless power system 700 includes a wirelesspower receiver 710C. In an example wherein wireless power receiver 710Ccomprises a compatible device, wireless power transmitter 700B may openeach of parasitic antennas 718, 722 and 724 and short each of parasiticantennas 712, 714, 716, 720, and 726. Accordingly, areas within any ofparasitic coils 712, 714, 716, 720, and 726 may comprise a null fieldzone. Accordingly, in this example, receiver 710C may receive powergenerated by transmit antenna 601.

FIG. 8A illustrates an example of a wireless power system 800A includinga wireless power transmitter 800A including a plurality of parasiticantennas 812, 814, 816, 818, and 820 and another plurality of parasiticantennas 822, 824, and 826. Similarly to wireless power transmitter700A, wireless power transmitter 800A includes parasitic antennas 812,814, 816, 818, and 820, which are positioned in one direction (i.e.,parallel to one another), and parasitic antennas 822, 824, and 826,which are positioned in another direction (i.e., parallel to one anotherand perpendicular to parasitic antennas 802A). Moreover, wireless powersystem 800A includes a first wireless power receiver 810A and a secondwireless power receiver 810B, each of which, in this example, comprisecompatible devices. Furthermore, wireless power system 800A includes adevice 810C, which, in this example, comprises a non-compatible device,such as a near-field communication (NFC) device or a rogue receiver.During a contemplated operation of wireless power system 800A, thewireless power transmitter may open each of parasitic antennas 814, 818,822, and 824 and short each of parasitic antennas 812, 816, 820, and826. As a result, areas within any of shorted parasitic antennas 812,816, 820, and 826 may comprise null field zones. It is noted that device810C is positioned within null field zone 830 and, therefore, powerreceived by device 810C, if any, may be limited. Further, receiver 810Aand receiver 810B are not within null field zone 830 and, therefore, mayreceive power generated by transmit antenna 601.

FIG. 8B illustrates an example of a wireless power system 800B includinga wireless power transmitter 801B including parasitic antennas 812, 814,816, 818, 820, 822, 824, and 826. Similarly to wireless powertransmitter 800A, wireless power parasitic antennas 812, 814, 816, 818,and 820 are positioned in one direction (i.e., parallel to one another),and parasitic antennas 822, 824, and 826 are positioned in anotherdirection (i.e., parallel to one another and perpendicular to parasiticantennas 802A). Moreover, wireless power system 800B includes wirelesspower receiver 810D, which, in this example, comprises a compatibledevice. Furthermore, wireless power system 800A includes a device 810Eand a device 810F, each of which, in this example, comprise anincompatible device, such as a near-field communication (NFC) device ora rogue receiver. During a contemplated operation of wireless powersystem 800B, the wireless power transmitter may open each of parasiticantennas 818, 822, and 824 and short each of parasitic antennas 812,814, 816, 820, and 826. As a result, areas within any of shortedparasitic antennas 812, 814, 816, 820, and 826 may comprise null fieldzones. It is noted that device 810E and device 810F are positionedwithin null field zone 832 and, therefore, power received by eitherdevice 810E or device 810F, if any, may be limited. Further, receiver810D is not within null field zone 832 and, therefore, may receive powergenerated by transmit antenna 601.

FIG. 9 illustrates a wireless power system 850 including a wirelesspower transmitter 852 including transmit antenna 852, a parasiticantenna 854, and a parasitic antenna 856. Wireless power system 850 alsoincludes receiver 858 positioned within a charging region of wirelesspower transmitter 852. With reference to FIG. 9, parasitic antenna 854and parasitic antenna 856, each of which are short-circuited andadjacent to transmit antenna 852, have an induced current which opposesa magnetic field generated by transmit antenna 852. A current withintransmit antenna 852 is in the direction depicted by arrows 851 andcurrents within parasitic antenna 854 and parasitic antenna 856 are inthe direction depicted by arrows 853. Further, a current within a region860 is in the direction depicted by arrows 855. Accordingly, a magneticfield within each of parasitic antenna 854 and parasitic antenna 856 maybe reduced and a magnetic field within region 860 may be enhanced and,therefore, coupling efficiency may be improved. It is noted that theparasitic antennas illustrated in FIGS. 6A-9 comprise “dead-shorted”parasitic antennas.

As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, theone or more shorted parasitic antennas may re-couple the energy from thetransmit antenna to a receiver via the mutual inductance between the oneor more parasitic antennas and the transmit antenna and the mutualinductance between the one or more parasitic antennas and a receiveantenna of a receiver. The increase in coupling decreases as the one ormore parasitic antennas are located further away from the receiver.Therefore, the one or more parasitic antennas may be appropriately sizedand spaced to achieve optimum performance across a range of devices.

According to one exemplary embodiment, a wireless power transmitter maybe configured to detect a presence of a compatible device (i.e., awirelessly chargeable device). Furthermore, the wireless powertransmitter may be configured to determine a location of a detectedcompatible device. During one contemplated operation, a wireless powertransmitter may periodically perform a system scan by shorting andopening each parasitic antenna at different times to determine if acompatible device is within a respective cell. Additionally, a suddendrop in charging efficiency may trigger a scan as a receiver may havebeen positioned into a null field zone. Detection of a compatible devicemay be carried out by methods known in the art, such as monitoring thepower transfer efficiency, unloaded receiver voltage, or both during ascan routine. Therefore, the transmitter may be aware of the location ofeach individual receiver.

Upon detecting one or more compatible device, and determining locationsof the detected compatible devices, the wireless power transmitter mayshort all parasitic coils not having at least one compatible devicepositioned therein to create a null field zone so that power transfer toa non-compatible device (e.g., an NFC card or rouge receiver) is minimalor possibly eliminated. Accordingly, as will be appreciated by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art, a field generated by transmitter maybe enhanced in areas which do not fall into the null field zone, thuscoupling efficiency may be improved.

As previously noted, a wireless power transmitter may include a transmitantenna and one or more parasitic antennas, wherein at least oneparasitic antenna has a fixed reactance (i.e., not a dead short). Aparasitic antenna including a fixed reactance, such as a capacitiveelement (i.e., capacitively loaded), may be used to modify a fielddistribution of a wireless power transmitter (e.g., steering field awayfrom an undesired area or steering field into a desired area). Forexample, a parasitic antenna may expand a coverage area of a smallertransmit antenna, or concentrate a field of a larger transmit antenna.

FIGS. 10A-10G illustrate various example wireless power transmitterconfigurations wherein each configuration includes a transmit antennaand at least one parasitic antenna. Specifically, FIG. 10A illustrates awireless power transmitter 900A including a transmit antenna 901A andconcentric parasitic antenna 902A, which is smaller than transmitantenna 901A. FIG. 10B illustrates a wireless power transmitter 900Bincluding a transmit antenna 901B and concentric parasitic antennas902B1 and 902B2, wherein each of parasitic antennas 902B1 and 902B2 aresmaller than transmit antenna 901B. FIG. 10C illustrates a wirelesspower transmitter 900C including a transmit antenna 901 C and aconcentric parasitic antenna 902C, wherein parasitic antenna 902C islarger than transmit antenna 901C. FIG. 10D illustrates a wireless powertransmitter 900D including a transmit antenna 901D and non-concentricparasitic antenna 902D, wherein parasitic antenna 902D is smaller thantransmit antenna 901D. FIG. 10E illustrates a wireless power transmitter900E including a transmit antenna 901E and non-concentric parasiticantennas 902E1 and 902E2, wherein each of parasitic antennas 902E1 and902E2 are smallet than transmit antenna 901E. FIG. 10F illustrates awireless power transmitter 900F including a transmit antenna 901F andconcentric parasitic antenna 902F1, which is smaller than transmitantenna 901F. Wireless power transmitter 900F further includes anon-concentric parasitic antenna 902F2, which is smaller than parasiticantennas 902F1. FIG. 10G illustrates a wireless power transmitter 900Gincluding a transmit antenna 901G and concentric parasitic antenna902G1, which is smaller than transmit antenna 901G. Wireless powertransmitter 900F further includes non-concentric parasitic antennas902G2 and 902G3, each of which is smaller than parasitic antennas 902G1.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate cross-sectional views of various examplewireless power transmitter configurations wherein each configurationincludes a transmit antenna 921 and a parasitic antenna 922. FIG. 11Aillustrates a wireless power transmitter 920A including a transmitantenna 921 and parasitic antenna 922, which is positioned belowtransmit antenna 921. FIG. 11B illustrates a wireless power transmitter920B including transmit antenna 921 and parasitic antenna 922, which isco-planar with transmit antenna 921. FIG. 11C illustrates a wirelesspower transmitter 920C including a transmit antenna 921 and parasiticantenna 922, which is positioned above transmit antenna 921.

FIGS. 12A-12E illustrate various relationship between a current within atransmit antenna and a current within a parasitic antenna. It is notedthat a phase relation between a current within a transmit antenna andthe current in a parasitic antenna may determine whether a field (e.g.,a magnetic field) within the parasitic coil is decreased or increased.FIG. 12A illustrates a wireless power transmitter 930A including atransmit antenna 932 and a parasitic antenna 934. A current withintransmit antenna 932 is in the direction depicted by arrows 935. In thisembodiment, parasitic antenna 934 is open-circuited and, therefore,parasitic antenna 934 lacks a current. FIG. 12B illustrates a wirelesspower transmitter 930B including transmit antenna 932 and a parasiticantenna 936. A current within transmit antenna 932 is in the directiondepicted by arrows 935 and current within parasitic antenna 936 is inthe direction depicted by arrows 937. In this embodiment, a capacitanceof parasitic antenna 934 is less than a capacitance that will causeparasitic antenna 934 to be in resonance at the operating frequency anda current within parasitic antenna 934 is out of phase but in the samedirection as a current within transmit antenna 932. FIG. 12C illustratesa wireless power transmitter 930C including transmit antenna 932 and aparasitic antenna 938. A current within transmit antenna 932 is in thedirection depicted by arrows 935 and current within parasitic antenna938 is in the direction depicted by arrows 937. In this embodiment, acapacitance of parasitic antenna 934 is equal to a capacitance that willcause parasitic antenna 934 to be in resonance at the operatingfrequency and the current within parasitic antenna 934 is in phase andin the same direction as the current within transmit antenna 932. FIG.12D illustrates a wireless power transmitter 930D including transmitantenna 932 and a parasitic antenna 940. A current within transmitantenna 932 is in the direction depicted by arrows 935 and the currentwithin parasitic antenna 940 is in the direction depicted by arrows 937.In this embodiment, a capacitance of parasitic antenna 934 is greaterthan a capacitance that will cause parasitic antenna 934 to be inresonance at the operating frequency and the current within parasiticantenna 934 is out of phase and in an opposite direction as the currentwithin transmit antenna 932. FIG. 12E illustrates a wireless powertransmitter 930E including transmit antenna 932 and a parasitic antenna942. A current within transmit antenna 932 is in the direction depictedby arrows 935 and a current within parasitic antenna 942 is in thedirection depicted by arrows 937. In this embodiment, a capacitance ofparasitic antenna 934 is very high (i.e., a short circuit) and thecurrent within parasitic antenna 934 is 180 degrees out of phase withthe current within transmit antenna 932.

It is noted that for enhanced field distribution control, the spacingbetween each parasitic coil, including overlapping coils, may beadjusted. Further, the size of the parasitic coils and the spacingbetween parasitic coils may vary depending on, for example, a size of anassociated wireless power transmitter. Further, it is noted that variousexemplary embodiments of the invention may improve the couplingefficiency and impedance responses by generating a more even magneticfield across the transmit antenna. In addition, by reducing the peakmagnetic field within a charging region, potential thermal/fire hazardproblems associated with NFC cards may be mitigated. By including activealteration of field distribution, a wireless power system may be able tosteer the magnetic field away from a non-compatible device (e.g., an NFCcard) and into a compatible receiver. Moreover, an effective charge areamay be increased with minimal impact on coupling efficiency.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating another method 950, in accordancewith one or more exemplary embodiments. Method 950 may includegenerating a field with a wireless transmit antenna (depicted by numeral952). Method 950 may further include modifying a distribution of thegenerated field with a parasitic antenna within the transmitter andproximate the transmit antenna (depicted by numeral 954).

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware andsoftware, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits,and steps have been described above generally in terms of theirfunctionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware orsoftware depends upon the particular application and design constraintsimposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement thedescribed functionality in varying ways for each particular application,but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a DigitalSignal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor,but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with theexemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly inhardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in acombination of the two. A software module may reside in Random AccessMemory (RAM), flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM), ElectricallyProgrammable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM(EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any otherform of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium iscoupled to the processor such that the processor can read informationfrom, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative,the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor andthe storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a userterminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium mayreside as discrete components in a user terminal.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on ortransmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computerstorage media and communication media including any medium thatfacilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Astorage media may be any available media that can be accessed by acomputer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readablemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed bya computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readablemedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.

The previous description of the disclosed exemplary embodiments isprovided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use thepresent invention. Various modifications to these exemplary embodimentswill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the presentinvention is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodimentsshown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with theprinciples and novel features disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transmitter for wirelessly transferring powerto a receiver device, comprising: a transmit antenna configured togenerate a first magnetic field for wirelessly transferring power to thereceiver device, the transmit antenna comprising a first resonantcircuit configured to resonate at a first frequency corresponding to anoperating frequency; at least one parasitic antenna comprising a secondresonant circuit configured to resonate at a second frequency differentthan the operating frequency; and a controller configured to activatethe at least one parasitic antenna configured to steer the firstmagnetic field generated by the transmit antenna to a desired regionwhen activated.
 2. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the at least oneparasitic antenna is configured to generate a second magnetic field atthe second frequency in response to the first magnetic field generatedby the transmit antenna.
 3. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to activate the at least one parasitic antennaby at least one of selectively close-circuiting or open-circuiting theat least one parasitic antenna.
 4. The transmitter of claim 1, whereinthe first resonant circuit comprises a first capacitor having a firstcapacitance, and wherein the second resonant circuit comprises a secondcapacitor having a second capacitance having a value less than the firstcapacitance.
 5. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the first resonantcircuit comprises a first capacitor having a first capacitance, andwherein the second resonant circuit comprises a second capacitor havinga second capacitance having a value greater than the first capacitance.6. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the second resonant circuitcomprises a plurality of capacitors, and wherein the controller isconfigured to selectively switch one or more of the capacitors into theparasitic antenna to actively steer the first magnetic field into thedesired region or away from an undesired region.
 7. The transmitter ofclaim 1, wherein the parasitic antenna is configured to steer the firstmagnetic field to increase uniformity of the first magnetic field acrossa surface of a charging area.
 8. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein theat least one parasitic antenna comprises an array of parasitic antennaspositioned in rows or columns.
 9. The transmitter of claim 8, whereinthe least one parasitic antenna comprises a multi-dimensional array ofparasitic antennas positioned in columns and rows.
 10. The transmitterof claim 8, wherein the transmit antenna is further configured towirelessly transfer charging power to the receiver device via the firstmagnetic field.
 11. The transmitter of claim 10, wherein the passiveantenna is configured to steer the first magnetic field to a desiredregion across a surface of a charging area.
 12. A method of wirelesslytransferring power to a receiver device, comprising: generating a firstmagnetic field with a transmit antenna comprising a first resonantcircuit configured to resonate at a first frequency corresponding to anoperating frequency; and steering the first magnetic field to a desiredregion in response to activating at least one parasitic antennacomprising a second resonant circuit configured to resonate at a secondfrequency different than the first frequency.
 13. The method of claim12, wherein the activating the at least one parasitic antenna comprisesat least one of selectively open-circuiting or close-circuiting a loopof the at least one parasitic antenna.
 14. The method of claim 12,wherein the activating the at least one parasitic antenna furthercomprises switching at least one capacitor into or out of the loop ofthe at least one parasitic antenna.
 15. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising generating a second magnetic field at the second frequency inresponse to the generated first magnetic field.
 16. The method of claim12, wherein: the first resonant circuit comprises a first capacitorhaving a first capacitance, and the second resonant circuit comprises asecond capacitor having a second capacitance having a value less thanthe first capacitance, the parasitic antenna includes a first loopconcentrically positioned within a second loop of the transmit antenna,and the parasitic antenna is configured to reduce a first field strengthoutside the first loop and increase a second field strength within thefirst loop.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein: the first resonantcircuit comprises a first capacitor having a first capacitance, and thesecond resonant circuit comprises a second capacitor having a secondcapacitance having a value greater than the first capacitance, theparasitic antenna includes a first loop positioned within a second loopof the transmit antenna, and the parasitic antenna is configured toincrease a first field strength outside the first loop and reduce asecond field strength within the first loop.
 18. A transmitter forwirelessly transferring power to a receiver device, comprising: meansfor generating a magnetic field, the generating means comprising a firstmeans for resonating at a first frequency corresponding to an operatingfrequency; and means for steering the magnetic field to a desired regionin response to activating a second means for resonating at a secondfrequency different than the first frequency.
 19. The transmitter ofclaim 18, wherein the means for steering the magnetic field comprises atleast one parasitic antenna, and wherein the generating means and the atleast one parasitic antenna are positioned in a concentric layoutrelative to each other.
 20. The transmitter of claim 18, wherein themeans for steering the magnetic field comprises at least one parasiticantenna, and wherein the generating means and the at least one parasiticantenna are positioned in a charging mat, the receiver device placedthereon to receive the wirelessly transferred power.